Differences between snooker and Pool
May 29, 2008
Like many people I sometimes find snooker a struggle, this is because snooker and pool are very different. I thought I would give some information about the differences in the equipment, so maybe next time you play snooker you will realize why its so much harder to master.
Table Size
Pool Tables – Regulation pool tables 8 X 4.6 foot long, however the normal standard pub tables you may be used to playing on are only 7 x 4 foot long.
Snooker Tables – The official size for a British snooker table is 12 x 6 feet, much larger than a pool table
Pockets
Pool Tables – Corner pockets tend by be smaller than middle pockets.
Snooker Tables – Corner pockets and side pockets are the same size, they are however a lot smaller than pool table pockets.
Table Height
Snooker tables are a few inches higher than pool tables with British tables being roughly 2″ higher than American tables
Ball sizes
Snooker balls are considerably smaller than pool balls. Pool bales are around 2 and a quarter inches, where as snooker balls are only 2 and an eight of an inch.
Cues
Snooker cues generally have smaller tips than pool cues, this is so they are more accurate. Due to the small size of the tip they take time to master
So there we have it the most reason people are better at pool than snooker are:
- Snooker tables are larger
- The pockets are tighter
- The tables are higher
- The balls are smaller
- The cue tips are smaller and harder to master
The best way to get better at snooker is simple practice, practice and more practice
Which Snooker Cue Should I Buy?
March 3, 2008
If you are play snooker regularly you will probably be looking into buying a cue, instead of using the snooker clubs cues, which sometimes can be damaged or bent. The question is what cue should you buy? Many people make the mistake that they will need to buy the best hand crafted cue, this is not the case. In most cases purchasing a cue is different for every person. Some people prefer heavier cues, some people prefer lighter cues etc.
The important thing is that when you have picked your cue, you need to continue practicing with the same cue! DON’T swap cues half way through the season, or you may start to lose much of the skills you have developed with your old cue. Stephen Hendry remember won all his tournaments with a basic cue.
Find below some useful things to remember when buying a cue:
- Use bigger tips for beginners, small tips for more professional players
- Buy cue tips which are neither soft or hard, this makes for the ideal contact
- Add a ferrule to the end of the cue, this protects it more
- Buy a two piece cue if you intend to travel with it, or one piece if not
- Try different lengths cues, and pick the one that feels right for you
What type of Snooker table should I get?
February 29, 2008
One hard decision for anyone wanting to purchase a snooker table, is what type of snooker table they should by. Sometimes this is restricted to how much space you have in your house for the table! Snooker tables available to purchase range from fold-away snooker tables, to full size slate tables each with their own advantages.
Fold away tables normally have an MDF playing service, which is less playable than the heavier slate tables. However the fold away tables can fit neatly into the corner of your room, and they are much cheaper to buy. These tables are ideal if you want to make your dining room a place to eat and to play snooker in! These kind of snooker tables come in a wide range of size, from children’s sizes to full size adult tables.
If you have more room in your house and are more serious about pool the best type of table would be a full size slate table. These kind of tables normally have to be built in your house due to the weight of the table once it has been completed. The frame of the table has to be strong as the slate playing surface is very heavy.
After the slate has been placed on the frame it is then covered with a tightly stretched cloth. These tables need a dedicated snooker room, as once completed the table is very hard to move and can’t be folded! These tables come in a wide range of sizes, including professional sizes for those more serious snooker enthusiasts.
